Gilman Playground 2012 Bond News – San Francisco Recreation and Parkhttp://sfrecpark.org
Get out and play!Thu, 14 Dec 2017 01:33:42 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.1Gilman Playground – JUNE 3rd GRAND OPENINGhttp://sfrecpark.org/gilman-playground-june-3rd-grand-opening/
Thu, 26 May 2016 14:19:42 +0000http://sfrecpark.org/?p=104421Gilman Playground is nearing completion! Tot panels and play equipment are installed, including a pyramidal net climbing structure. Colorful rubber surfacing is being poured in sections. You are invited to the GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION on June 3rd, 3 PM. This event will include a climbing wall, sports and games and youth activities. … Continue reading →]]>

Gilman Playground is nearing completion! Tot panels and play equipment are installed, including a pyramidal net climbing structure. Colorful rubber surfacing is being poured in sections.

You are invited to the GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION on June 3rd, 3 PM. This event will include a climbing wall, sports and games and youth activities.

The $1.8 million renovation, made possible by the 2012 Clean & Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, encourages graduated play through the linkage of play structures with a spider web net climber. Numerous swings and independent elements offer a variety of play opportunities. The underlying rubber surface depicts a shoreline setting referencing the park’s former proximity to San Francisco Bay. New trees provide much-needed shade. A separate tot area with imaginary play panels has been set up at a nearby lawn picnic area. The project also renovated associated infrastructure including: irrigation, lighting, pathways to the play area, and the clubhouse restrooms for wheelchair accessibility.

Please join us for a celebratory ribbon cutting, with a wide variety of recreation such as SF Rec & Park’s climbing wall, sports & games, and other youth activities.

The $1.8 million renovation, made possible by the 2012 Clean & Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, encourages play for all ages through the large play structure, a tot play area, outdoor fitness stations, and a new picnic area. The project also renovated associated infrastructure including, lighting, pathways to the play area, and the clubhouse restrooms for wheelchair accessibility.

]]>Gilman Playground’s WPA Pasthttp://sfrecpark.org/gilman-playgrounds-wpa-past/
Wed, 18 May 2016 22:52:24 +0000http://sfrecpark.org/?p=104339By Ryan Kelly May 6th marked the 81st anniversary of the enactment of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), one of the most successful public works programs in our nation’s history. Its main purpose was to put Americans back to work by boosting infrastructure while also promoting scientific and artistic projects. … Continue reading →]]>

By Ryan Kelly

May 6th marked the 81st anniversary of the enactment of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), one of the most successful public works programs in our nation’s history. Its main purpose was to put Americans back to work by boosting infrastructure while also promoting scientific and artistic projects. In San Francisco, the Recreation and Park Department was one of the biggest benefactors as many parks were either improved upon or built from scratch. One example is Gilman Playground, which is currently undergoing renovation and is slated to reopen on June 3rd with a community celebration.

Initial construction on Gilman Playground began in 1933. However, in 1935 the WPA would finish the work for a standardized playground in the northeast corner of the park. It would cost $3,170 to complete. It eventually became a part of the larger Gillman and Griffith Streets Project by the WPA, which cost $54,689 or close to $1 million today. Improvements to Gilman included the planting of 5,000 trees and shrubs, grading of 9,000 cubic yards, and installing 5,000 lineal feet of fencing. In addition, the park at the time was located on the coastline of the San Francisco Bay and featured a beach area. The WPA constructed a boat house, pier, and convenience station along with placing 5,000 cubic feet of rip-rap, or rubble, to armor the shoreline.

Since its enhancement by the WPA, the park and surrounding community have undergone numerous changes including the addition of landfill after World War II. It turned Gilman’s ocean side beach into a lake in the 1950s. Eventually, the waterfront would be completely replaced by the construction of Candlestick Park in 1958. Gilman would miss its unique recreational opportunity of providing a beachside park, but many generations of San Francisco youth have been inspired playing baseball on Gilman’s diamond in the shadow of Candlestick, dreaming of playing under the stadium’s lights and swirling winds.

Both Candlestick and the beach are gone today, but Gilman is still providing tremendous recreational opportunities in a beautiful park setting. Its most recent improvements include the addition of picnic tables, outdoor workout equipment donated by Greenfields Outdoor Fitness, and brand new playground structures whose features include a zip line and net spinner. The pour-in-place rubber surface for the playground depicts a shoreline setting that pays homage to its former ocean side view. The park’s WPA roots are dug deep, helping to preserve Gilman for over 80 years and with this new renovation, will help it remain a cherished resource for the Bayview/Hunters Point community for years to come.

The chartreuse-colored posts of the new children’s play structure are now going up. The play equipment will get fully installed by mid-week of next week, then followed by the rubber surfacing in colors that reference the site’s historic location along the original bay shoreline.

]]>UPDATE: Gilman Playground Renovationhttp://sfrecpark.org/update-gilman-playground-renovation-6/
Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:02:10 +0000http://sfrecpark.org/?p=103650Continue reading →]]>Since the winter rains have subsided, great progress has been made on the Gilman Playground renovation project. The ground dried sufficiently to proceed with soil compaction and installation of the gravel sub-base for the new playground rubber fall surface.

The new trellis over the group picnic area is assembled and installed. A concrete pad for the new adult exercise equipment is being formed.

Over the next 3 weeks, we’ll see significant progress with the installation of the children’s play equipment and adult exercise equipment.

Check soon for an update on a grand opening date!

]]>UPDATE: Gilman Playground Renovationhttp://sfrecpark.org/update-gilman-playground-renovation-5/
Tue, 01 Mar 2016 19:27:34 +0000http://sfrecpark.org/?p=101524Continue reading →]]>Although intermittent wet weather continues to slow down the renovation work, tree work is completed and new concrete paving was poured last week. Planned activities for the next few weeks include installation of light poles, modification of the clubhouse restrooms for wheelchair access, and base preparation for the new playground’s rubber surface. The new play equipment has arrived and being stored until the site is installation-ready.

]]>UPDATE: Gilman Playground Renovationhttp://sfrecpark.org/update-gilman-playground-renovation-4/
Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:23:29 +0000http://sfrecpark.org/?p=99667Despite the rain, the renovation of Gilman Playground has made steady progress. Underground utilities are mostly in. Concrete curbs are built to define the play area. Tree work is in progress. When the ground dries up, grading and sub-base preparation will continue. The anticipated completion has been pushed back to summer … Continue reading →]]>

Despite the rain, the renovation of Gilman Playground has made steady progress. Underground utilities are mostly in. Concrete curbs are built to define the play area. Tree work is in progress. When the ground dries up, grading and sub-base preparation will continue.

The anticipated completion has been pushed back to summer 2016. For more information, please contact Marvin Yee, project manager, at Marvin.Yee@sfgov.org or at (415) 581-2541.

Scope of work includes

– Pour-in-place rubber surface depicting a shoreline setting in reference to the park’s former proximity to the bay;

– Landscaping and new trees to provide shade;

– A separate tot area with imaginary play panels on a nearby lawn area;

– Replacement of an arbor with picnic tables;

– Site lighting upgrades;

– Repaving of pathways for wheelchair access; and

– Clubhouse restrooms modified for exterior access.

Construction is anticipated to begin in late-July/August, and reopen in early 2016. Unforeseen conditions and inclement weather may extend the construction duration.

The renovation of Gilman Playground is made possible through the voter-approved 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond. For more information, please feel free to contact Marvin Yee, Project Manager, at Marvin.Yee@sfgov.org or (415) 581-2541.

]]>UPDATE – Gilman Playground Renovationhttp://sfrecpark.org/update-gilman-playground-renovation-2/
Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:50:04 +0000http://sfrecpark.org/?p=79443Beginning in 2013, the Recreation and Park Department conducted three (3) community meetings and attended community events to publicize the project and for public input. Consequently the Recreation and Park Commission approved the community-supported concept plan in March 2014. The concept plan depicts the replacement of the play equipment within the same general … Continue reading →]]>

Beginning in 2013, the Recreation and Park Department conducted three (3) community meetings and attended community events to publicize the project and for public input. Consequently the Recreation and Park Commission approved the community-supported concept plan in March 2014.

The concept plan depicts the replacement of the play equipment within the same general area. The new play equipment will encourage graduated play through the linking of composite structures with a net climber. Numerous swings and independent events (zip line, net spinner, and independent spinners) offer a variety of play opportunities. The underlying rubber surface depicts a shoreline setting in reference to the park’s former proximity to the bay. New trees will provide much-needed shade. A separate tot area with imaginary play panels will be set up at a nearby lawn picnic area.

Lastly, an arbor with picnic tables will be replaced, site lighting upgraded, existing pathways repaved for wheelchair access, and clubhouse restrooms modified for exterior access.

The Gilman Playground Renovation Project is funded through $1.8 million from the 2012 Park Bond.

The construction documents are nearing completion! The project is anticipated to go out to public bidding in early 2015, and go into construction in spring 2015.

]]>UPDATE – Gilman Playground Renovationhttp://sfrecpark.org/update-gilman-playground-renovation/
Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:30:18 +0000http://sfrecpark.org/?p=66268Continue reading →]]>The children’s play area at Gilman Playground is a project of the 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond. The Gilman Playground Renovation Project includes the renovation the children’s play area, modification of the clubhouse restroom for exterior wheelchair accessibility, site wheelchair accessibility, and related amenities.

Public outreach on the Project was extensive that included:

3 community meetings;

Surveys at 2 community events: RecConnect End of Summer BBQ and the Kid’s of Cali Family Day at MLK Playground;

Public notices mailed to over 1300 addresses, and posted at Gilman Playground and at Bret Harte Elementary School;

An announcement made at a residents’ association monthly meeting for the nearby Alice Griffith Housing Complex; and

Blog and website updates.

Representatives from the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Committee (PROSAC), Bayview Hills Neighborhood Association, and Parks94124 participated in the community meetings. The Recreation and Park Department concluded its community planning process at a 2/18/14 community meeting.

Attached is the community-supported concept plan, which replaces the play equipment within the same general area. The new play equipment will encourage graduated play through the linking of composite structures with a net climber. Numerous swings and independent events (zip line, net spinner, and independent spinners) offer a variety of play opportunities. The underlying rubber surface depicts a shoreline setting in reference to the park’s former proximity to the bay. New trees will provide much-needed shade. A separate tot area with imaginary play panels will be set up at a nearby lawn picnic area.

The Recreation and Park Department appreciates your participation in developing a community-driven Final Concept Plan – Gilman. This concept plan is subject to Recreation and Park Commission approval on March 13, 2014. For more information, please contact Marvin Yee, Project Manager, at Marvin.Yee@sfgov.org.

]]>Gilman Playground Renovation Community Meeting #3http://sfrecpark.org/event/gilman-playground-renovation-community-meeting-3/
Wed, 19 Feb 2014 02:00:00 +0000http://sfrecpark.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=64659The Recreation and Park Department invites you to attend the final community meeting on the renovation of the Gilman Playground children’s play area. Gilman Playground is located on Bill Walsh Way at … Continue reading →]]>

The Recreation and Park Department invites you to attend the final community meeting on the renovation of the Gilman Playground children’s play area. Gilman Playground is located on Bill Walsh Way at Gilman Ave. Everyone is invited to attend! Tell your friends and neighbors!

]]>Gilman Playground Renovation – Community Meetinghttp://sfrecpark.org/gilman-playground-renovation-community-meeting/
Mon, 03 Feb 2014 18:57:15 +0000http://sfrecpark.org/?p=64529Continue reading →]]>Thank you to those who participated in the second community meeting at Gilman Clubhouse! The public input was very productive in providing the City team with guidance on the final concept plan. Please join us at the final community meeting to review the proposed concept plan on February 18 at 6 PM at the clubhouse.
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